Posts by Lynne Watts
Reflecting on the School Year… A Vital Lesson
As the school year draws to a close, elementary school counselors have a golden opportunity to teach a crucial lesson on the importance of reflection. Reflecting on the past school year allows students to celebrate their successes, learn from their failures, and prepare for the journey ahead. Why Reflection Matters Reflection is a powerful tool…
Read MoreHarnessing the Healing Power of Mandalas: Calming Elementary School Minds
Finding moments of calm and serenity amidst the hustle and bustle of daily school life is essential both for students and educators. One powerful tool that has gained recognition for its ability to promote relaxation and alleviate stress is the simple act of coloring mandalas. The Therapeutic Benefits of Mandalas: Mandalas, derived from the Sanskrit…
Read MoreSummer Reading List: What I’m Reading Now
Summer Reading List: What I’m Reading Now As you might imagine, I spend a lot of time reading books, listening to podcasts and watching videos, all in an effort to keep up with current thinking and new strategies for helping young children succeed in our challenging world. Summertime is often a great time to catch up…
Read MoreHow to Raise Responsible, Self-Reliant Children
Helping Kids Develop a Can Do Attitude I often hear teachers and parents alike lament that the students today have little intrinsic motivation and initiative. Certainly as a school counselor, I often presented lessons on being responsible. When asked what it means to be responsible, children usually have a good idea. They would identify tasks like…
Read MoreBe the hero in your story
How to be the hero in your own life In a school where I was doing some training, I found this quote on a classroom wall: “Be the hero in your own story.” I love the concept. In recent years the story arc has been incorporated into business and many other mediums where we might…
Read More3 Ways to Help Children Develop Resilience
3 Ways to Help Children Develop Resilience What does a child do when faced with a challenging situation? Give Up Find an adult to fix the problem Attempt to solve the problem What is resilience? It is the ability to recover from difficulties. What are the key factors in developing resilience? Here’s what we know…
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